Electronic cigarettes gaining in popularity among teens

Teens no longer smoke just cigarettes. They have branched out to using alternative tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes, hookahs and little cigars. In fact, e-cigarette use is rising rapidly among both cigarette smokers and nonsmokers, according to a study to be presented Sunday, April 26 at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in San Diego.

"Electronic cigarettes are of great concern. They are highly addictive nicotine delivery devices, and the vapor can and does cause harm to lungs," said principal investigator Jonathan D. Klein, MD, MPH, FAAP, director of the AAP Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence and associate executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Data for the national study were collected from 142 pediatric practices participating in a randomized, controlled trial to improve the quality of services to help teens stop smoking. Youths ages 14 and older who went to one of the practices for a checkup or a non-urgent sick visit in 2012-2014 were recruited to fill out a survey about their tobacco use. The questionnaire asked whether they had ever used cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookahs, chewing tobacco or small cigars/cigarillos. Data from 10,405 teens were analyzed to identify trends in use.

Results showed traditional cigarettes were the most common tobacco product used by adolescents (22 percent of teens), followed by hookah (13 percent) and electronic cigarettes (10 percent).

E-cigarette use rose from 8 percent of teens in 2012 to 11 percent in 2014. Use of electronic cigarettes was especially high among those who also smoked traditional cigarettes (56 percent in 2014).

Hookah use was 9 percent to 10 percent for nonsmokers in each year, and fell among smokers from 62 percent in 2012 to 47 percent in 2014.

Rates of chewing tobacco and small cigar/cigarillo use did not change significantly over time.

"Adolescent use of alternative tobacco products is problematic among current smokers, as it may prolong or worsen nicotine addiction," Dr. Klein said. "It is also problematic among nonsmokers, as it may serve as a gateway to further tobacco use and nicotine addiction."

Gender and age group differences were found in the use of all four alternative tobacco products:

E-cigarettes were used more by older youths than younger teens, and more by males than females.

Hookah use was more prevalent among older youths. In 2014, nonsmoking females reported higher use than males.

Little cigars/cigarillos were used more by older adolescents and males.

"Our study shows that e-cigarette use is increasing rapidly, and this should be a wake-up call for regulating these devices along with all other tobacco products," Dr. Klein said. "In addition, tobacco screening, which should be performed at every clinical visit, needs to evolve to include questions about e-cigarettes and other alternative products."

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

User comments

The youth smoking rate just went down 25% in ONE YEAR, and is currently at the lowest level ever recorded. Young people who would have wound up as lifelong smokers are foregoing cigarettes in favor of an alternative product that is (at minimum) 99% less hazardous to their health. Why is this a bad thing again?

"They are highly addictive nicotine delivery devices,"

Dr. Klein, you're either an ignoramus or a liar. Not all vapor products contain nicotine (ask any vape shop owner and they'll tell you 25-30% of the liquid they sell is zero-nic). Making an unfounded assumption to the contrary, and then basing your findings on it, is intentionally deceptive and antithetical to every principle of honest scientific research. Moreover, there is no verified instance of any person becoming nicotine dependent who never used tobacco.

E-mail the story

Electronic cigarettes gaining in popularity among teens

Note

Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.
The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Medical Xpress in any form.

Your message

Newsletter sign up

Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties.

Your Privacy

This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, and provide content from third parties.
By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy
and Terms of Use.